Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Orange

A Greg Hickman-trained gelding can add to his impressive record at the track and trip on Friday.

Trainer Greg Hickman returns to Orange on Friday with Private Detective who has a good record at the track. Picture: Grant Guy

Form analyst Mitch Cohen gives his best bets and runs the rule over every race for Orange.

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

ORANGE

Best Bet

Race 5, No.4: LISTEN TO THE BAND

Made an amazing return from a two and a half year break with a win. Can run them off their feet again over 1000m.

Next Bet

Race 2, No.3: PRIVATE DETECTIVE

Two time winner at this track and trip. Racing well and has inside draw.

Value Bet

Race 7, No.4: SIZZLE MINIZZLE

Wasn’t far away at Dubbo last time and capable of going one better.

Quaddie

Race 4: 4,9,13

Race 5: 4

Race 6: 4,5,6,7

Race 7: 1,4,6,8

Jockey Jake Pracey-Holmes will give the TAB Jockeys Challenge a shake at Orange on Friday.

Jockey To Follow

Gun hoop Jake Pracey-Holmes has four rides and three of them are hot favourites.

THE INSIDE MAIL FOR ORANGE

RACE 1

Hide Your Heart can double her winning tally in the opener. Made up good ground in her latest effort over 1400m at Canberra to finish third. Should be ready to peak third-up at the mile after a pair of tune ups over shorter trips. Press Estate loves the trip, winning once and placing three times from six attempts. Placed in two of his past three starts, he can run well again. If some rain arrives on Friday, it could boost the chances of Merisi. Without a jockey booked here, expecting Jamrock to go to Canberra instead. He’s a chance Annabel Neasham takes him.

Verdict: Hide Your Heart to win.

RACE 2

Private Detective returns to a track and trip where he’s had a bit of joy. The Greg Hickman-trained stayer has won twice over the Orange 2100m, the only defeat coming on a very heavy track in the feature Cup. Was back to his best when a narrow second on the Newcastle Beaumont last start. Eva’s Deel scored a soft win at Dubbo in the lead up. Replicating that performance will see her going close again. Sandastan can’t be discounted off a last start second at Goulburn over the same journey he faces here while Will To Excel drops back a mile in trip to a more suitable assignment.

Verdict: Private Detective to win.

Jockey Ashley Morgan can get a race to race double with Private Detective and Little Baia.

RACE 3

A better draw should provide a major boost to Little Baia’s chances. Draw wide last time, the Bjorn Baker-trained filly had to come from a mile back to finish on the winner’s heels at Goulburn. Settling closer here and up in trip are both huge positives to her chances. Chain Of Gold was runner-up to subsequent winner Crafty Eagle two back at Warwick Farm. That’s brilliant form for a race like this. Smartawi should appreciate the step up from 1200m to 1400m. Has the right draw too.

Verdict: Little Baia to win.

RACE 4

Tricky maiden and leaning towards one with race experience. Seminara has moved to her fourth stable and will have her start for trainer Michael Mulholland. Has placed in four of 11 starts but hasn’t been far away in a few of those. She was doing her best work late when third at Inverell when she was last seen on November 19. Watch betting moves on the first starters. Life’s A Party and Keep Ya Promise the pick of them. Life’s A Party has trialled well ahead of her debut. The Star Turn mare may need some luck from the gate but can run well. Keep Ya Promise did enough in his only public appearance ahead of his debut.

Verdict: Seminara to win.

RACE 5

Hard not to stick with Listen To The Band after his stunning first-up romp. First-up for 894 days, the Clint Lundholm-trained sprinter gave his rivals a galloping lesson with a five-length win at Warren. Sticks over 1000m here and drawn to take the shortest home along the fence from out in front. It should be a case of catch him if you can. No Debt warrants respect for his last start triumph. Up in grade now but must lug the 62.5kg again. Kora Magic has eight seconds from her past 10 starts. Expert her to be around the money. East Harlem did enough to win on debut.

Verdict: Listen To The Band to win.

Jockey Mitchell Bell rides the Deam Nirfin-trained Sea Treasures on Friday. Picture: AAP Image

RACE 6

It wasn’t so long ago that Sea Treasures finished fifth in a Group 1 Australian Derby so you’d think his best form is more than capable of winning a race like this. The 1400m may be a bit short of his best but talent can take him a long way. Now with Dean Mirfin, Sea Treasures is third-up from a break and drawn to run a big race. Larynx has raced four times at this track and trip for four placings. The Brett Thompson-trained gelding is never far away. Dom Tycoon had to do the bulk of the chasing last start at Hawkesbury. Still showed plenty of guts in the finish and can improve.

Verdict: Sea Treasures to win.

RACE 7

Sizzle Minizzle went down fighting at Dubbo last time and can go one better in the last. With three runs under his belt, the Brett Robb-trained galloper is rock hard fit now. Can take advantage of a gun draw in an even race. Enzina comes from powerhouse Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained stable. Drops in weight to 57kg off last start second at Canberra and should run well. Covalent is among the contenders again with a win and a second at the trip in her past two. Including unbeaten second starter Scopics in all wider multiples.

Verdict: Sizzle Minizzle to win.

Originally published as Race day focus: Best bets, inside mail for Orange